November 3, 2023
News
Dominik Filipp is a student who completed his internship at Caritas Czech Republic in the humanitarian aid and development cooperation department. He was mainly assisting the country programme coordinators and says that he definitely recommends the internship to others. We sat down with Dominik to learn more about his internship journey at Caritas Czech Republic.
Why did you choose to do your internship at Caritas Czech Republic, specifically the humanitarian aid and development cooperation department?
I was looking for internship opportunities and when I saw the ad from Caritas Czech Republic I thought it would be interesting. Mainly because it was very close to my studies as I am studying political science and international relations at Charles University. With my ambitions to become a diplomat, I just wanted to be around people who put effort into international cooperation and projects that further enforce this.
How long was your internship and what were your main responsibilities?
During my internship, I worked on a variety of tasks, from filling in Excel spreadsheets to translating project documents into another language. I was also involved in organizing a visit from Mongolia with Mongolian diplomats. I also assisted mainly the country program coordinators with other all-round day-to-day work.
How did you enjoy your internship at Caritas Czech Republic?
I enjoyed it a lot. From the beginning of my internship, I had my own desk and a computer to work on. My colleagues in Caritas were great and I learned a lot from them. It was a very positive experience for me.
Although you did some volunteering before, your internship at Caritas Czech Republic was your first experience with a humanitarian organization. How well did you adapt to the tasks here when you first started?
I think I adapted quite well, not because of my previous experience, but because of the help of other people in Caritas Czech Republic. When I was given a task that I did not understand at first, they willingly explained everything and helped me. This allowed me to work more efficiently.
Your internship lasted for about five months. What were some highlights from your time at Caritas Czech Republic?
Definitely the people. I did not get to know them as well as I would have wanted to, but the people I contacted and talked to at Caritas Czech Republic made my internship as smooth as possible. I was always told not to worry about making a mistake because it happens and I should learn from it. The organization's location is amazing as it is right in Prague's city center. I am also glad that I was able to participate in helping people in disadvantaged regions. It made me feel that my work is also important and meaningful.
It has been some time since you completed your internship at Caritas Czech Republic. What are you currently doing and what are your future plans?
I am currently studying political science and international relations at Charles University. I also have several part-time jobs. My ambitions for the future are that I would like to become a diplomat. That would be the best thing for me. If only to think that I have left my mark on the world.
Based on your experience, would you recommend the internship at Caritas Czech Republic to others?
I would definitely recommend it. I think the people in the organization can help you and support you in everything you do during the internship. It is also the perfect place to find out what you want to do and an experience that is worthwhile. I believe it is ideal for people who want to take as much as they can and use it for their future ambitions.
Is there anything you would like to add?
I want to thank the Caritas Czech Republic for giving me the opportunity to work with them. It was a very enlightening experience for me. It was very nice to meet so many people working in this organization. Also, very important for me to see how things work in NGOs. It is a great place to learn as much as possible, and a wonderful opportunity.
Are you interested in doing an internship at Caritas Czech Republic? Find out more about the internships at the Humanitarian Aid and Development Cooperation department at the link below.
